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What Are 5 Ways To Cut Costs When Fitting Out A New Office?

Written by Adaani Denny | Mar 20, 2023 1:11:57 PM

1. Define what you "Need".

We’re all aware that fitting out a new office is a big thing. And without a correct brief in place then its incredibly difficult to set the right budget, and if your brief is wrong then it’s simple - your project won’t be a success, no matter how cheaply it was delivered.

When it comes to improving your office, the most important part is understanding what isn’t working and why. Before making any drastic changes, take a step back and evaluate what needs to be improved from both an aesthetic and functional standpoint. Once you’ve identified the issues, then you can start designing solutions that will make the greatest impact. By taking the time to truly understand the issues that are causing problems in your office, you can develop tailored solutions that will ultimately create a workspace that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally efficient. By taking this approach, we find you can ensure that the completed project will be perfect.

Without the right brief in the first place, it’s incredibly difficult to set the right budget, let alone keep your office fit-out on track. If your brief is wrong, your project will not be a success, no matter how cheaply it was delivered. Delivering a stunning new office that is perfectly on brand won’t matter if you didn’t fix what was wrong in the first place – whether that was lack of collaboration space, poor acoustics, or something else entirely.

Your first step is to define what exactly is wrong with your office at the moment. Are there far too many desks, but not enough collaboration spaces? Does the design feel tired and outdated, and just doesn’t reflect your company anymore? The problems aren’t always limited to what is immediately obvious. Rising absenteeism or worsening culture may all be signs that your workspace needs improvement.

Clear alignment and expectations are a critical first step in planning for your office design project. Every member your team should understand the purpose of the project, what success looks like, and how it will support your company’s key objectives.

Take time to discuss what isn’t working with your current office, what areas you want to focus on, and how to make sure that your new office design works for everyone – from employees to clients. Think about how you can use the new space strategically; an office design that enables hybrid working or reflects your culture which will be incredibly powerful in taking your business forward.

Once you have an understanding of the goals of the project, you’ll be able to set realistic budget expectations and plan a timeline to move forward. Planning ahead and aligning the team are essential steps in making sure your office design is successful.

The right office space can be transformative for your business, but getting it right starts with open communication and alignment on expectations. Make sure you take the time to discuss and plan before starting any project – it will save you time, money, and effort in the long run.

2. Value analysis.

Value analysis is the process of finding cost savings while still delivering on-brief outcomes. Your chosen office fit-out company will be able to help identify areas where costs can be reduced without compromising quality and performance – so that you can stay within budget and get the most from your project. 

We believe that by taking a strategic approach to your office, design planning, communicating openly with all stakeholders, and leveraging value analysis, you’ll be well on your way to creating an inspiring workspace that brings success to your business. By following these steps, you’ll ensure that you are getting maximum return on investment. 

The key is to take a collaborative approach between yourself and your chosen office fit-out company – they will have the technical knowledge and experience in finding cost savings while ensuring quality remains high. Through effective value-analysis strategies, you can create an inspiring workplace that meets all of your requirements while staying within budget.

It is also important to think about the types of spaces that you need. For example, if staff are in and out of the office regularly, how much space do they need to keep their personal belongings safe while they are away? Having a secure storage option may mean that you don’t need as many desks or chairs as initially thought.  

Taking the time to think about how your space will be used and what type of environment you want to create for staff can also help you decide on furniture and finishes. There may be potential cost savings here too, as designer or luxury finishes wont always make a huge difference to morale or productivity in the long run. Taking a practical approach can ensure that you get the most out of your budget. Finally, make sure that you consider how long certain pieces will last. Quality is always important but making wise investments can also save money in the long run. Investing in well-made furniture with a warranty may reduce the overall cost of replacing items quicker. 

With careful planning and consideration, creating an effective space for your team doesn’t have to break the bank! By assessing all these considerations, you can create an environment that is productive and cost-effective. 

3. Contingency plan.

To ensure that your project is completed with no additional cost, an appropriate contingency should be included in the budget. Contingency funds cover unexpected expenses and potential changes during the development process, such as structural problems or extra data points. This way, you can guarantee that your fixed-cost contract will remain unchanged and that any issues encountered will be covered in the budget. 

By including a contingency to your budget, you can rest easy knowing that even if something goes wrong, it wont cost you any more money than what was originally agreed upon. A properly allocated contingency allows you to move forward with confidence and finish the project on time and on budget. 

Remember, the longer and more complex the project is, the higher your contingency should be. It’s important to plan ahead and set a realistic budget that takes into account any potential changes that may occur during the course of the development. Doing so will help you avoid costly overruns and ensure that your project can be finished without any unwelcome surprises. 

It is also important to think about the types of spaces that you need. For example, if your staff are in and out of the office regularly, how much space do they need to keep their personal belongings safe while they are away? Having a secure storage option may mean that you don’t need as many desks or chairs as initially thought. Taking the time to think about how your space will be used and what type of environment you want to create for staff can also help you decide on furniture or luxury finishes won’t always make a huge difference to morale or productivity in the long run. Taking a practical approach can ensure that you get the most out of your budget. 

Finally, make sure that you consider how long certain pieces will last. Quality is always important but making wise investments can also save money in the long run. Investing in well-made furniture with a warranty may reduce the overall cost of replacing items quicker. With careful planning and consideration, creating an effective space for your team doesn’t have to break the bank. By assessing all of these considerations, you can create an environment that is productive and cost-effective. 

So, make sure you plan for contingencies when setting budgets for projects – it could save you time, money, and stress in the long run! 

4. Procure smartly - sustainably

 Procurement is a critical part of any project, and it’s essential to ensure you’re not making informed decisions. When material requirements, quantity and delivery time frames are not adequately accounted for in the procurement process, it can cause delays and unexpected costs. To avoid these kinds of pitfalls, it’s important to consider the following: understanding your material requirements early on; having an accurate estimate of the necessary quantities; and allowing adequate time for materials to be delivered. Planning ahead and taking into account all potential factors will help keep projects on track. 

It is always a good idea to ensure that your project remains within budget by properly managing procurement processes from start to finish. A well-planned approach will deliver better results in less time and with fewer problems. With adequate planning, you can reduce the risk pf running over budget and behind schedule. 

LED lighting is an eco-friendly alternative to conventional incandescent lighting schemes which can tire the eyes and exhaust your employee’s productivity. Additionally, you can implement motion detection for your LED lighting to further cut down your energy consumption. 

Maximising your use of natural light and fit your office out with large windows and skylights to boost productivity and concentration in the working environment. By taking these easy steps, you can reduce costs while keeping a green office! 
This will help to ensure that your project remains within budget by properly managing procurement processes from start to finish. A well-planned approach will deliver better results in less time and with fewer problems. With adequate planning, you can reduce the risk of running over budget and behind schedule. The right procurement strategy will not only help you save time and money, but also ensure that your team is able to complete the project on schedule. Take the necessary steps to properly manage procurement processes so that your projects are completed successfully!

With thoughtful planning and an eye for energy-saving opportunities, you can ensure that your project says within budget and shows your commitment to sustainability. 

5. Fit-out specialists aka "Us"

Engaging a third party consultant during the development process can be a great way to help minimize risks and ensure everyone is on the same page throughout the duration of your project will have the desired outcome and be something you are proud of!

By taking the time to understand what issues may arise when working with a fit-out company, you can ensure your project is successful and that everyone involved is satisfied with the final product. By doing proper research and communication, as well as utilising the fit-out specialists, any discrepancies should be avoided, and expectations can be met. With these precautions in place, you can be assured you will get exactly what you asked for.

Integrated design and construction services can also help to make the entire process smoother. With 95-100% accuracy when translating from prototype to actual fit-out, you know exactly what you’re getting. This eliminates unnecessary reworks that eat up time and resources, not to mention your sanity! 

Furthermore, procurement activities can be conducted in tandem with the design phase, further streamlining operations for better efficiency. All these advantages contribute towards cost savings as well as reducing coordination efforts. 

So, to answer your question – when it comes to fit-outs, it pays to go with an established company. With more experience, they can facilitate a full-set of fit-out skills and manage the entire process for you in on point of contact. And with a trusted supplier network already in place, they’ll be able to provide you with cost-saving solutions. Plus, their expertise means that they’ll be able to provide you with cost-saving solutions and alternative ideas that will still deliver the desired results. 

Get in touch with Habit Action, your fit-out specialists, today.